Application for Accreditation

Prior to opening a new facility or practice, or if the facility or practice has moved, renovated, or intends to expand its scope of practice since the last practice inspection, a practice inspection is required and permission to open must be obtained from the Practice Facility Accreditation Committee (PFAC) as conveyed through the practice inspector.

The DR is advised to provide their ‘Application for Practice Facility Accreditation’ to the CVBC approximately 2 to 4 weeks prior to the anticipated opening date to allow for sufficient review time by the CVBC and to schedule a practice inspection.

Designated Registrant (DR)

The bylaws, Part 3 – Accreditation and Naming, s. 3.4 (1) requires every facility or practice to have a DR, whose duties are prescribed in s. 3.6 and who is responsible to the CVBC for the delivery of veterinary services through the practice or facility, and for its’ advertising.

A DR for a general practice must be a registrant with Private Practice (PP) class of registration. A specialty/specialist practice must have a DR with applicable Diplomate Status as defined in the bylaws, Part 2 – Registration, but may be registered in either Private Practice (PP) or Specialty Private Practice (SPP) classes.

Approval of a Practice Facility Name

The Fee for a market name, or market name change, is $ 300.00 (+ GST).

The Veterinarians Act, s. 47 (2) (b), ‘Prohibitions regarding registration and use of titles’ and the bylaws, Part 3 – Accreditation and Naming, s. 3.23, ‘Definitions’ provides the authority for the CVBC to regulate the “use of a name” in any advertising, representation of a name such as on a sign or signage, or a bank account.

The bylaws, s. 3.24 (1), ‘Application for Facility or Practice Name’ and s. 3.25 (2), ‘Requirements’ provides authority to the Registrar to approve a facility or practice name, or name change, that is submitted by a CVBC registrant ‘in good standing’ as defined in the bylaws, Part 1 – Governance.

Specific requirements regarding the use of ‘Specialty’/’Specialist’, ‘After hours’, ‘Hospital’, ‘Emergency’, ‘Mobile’, ‘Ambulatory’, ‘Housecall’, or ‘Consulting’ in a facility or practice name are included in the bylaws, Part 3 – Accreditation and Naming, s. 3.26, ‘Restrictions’.

An important consideration under the bylaws, s. 3.26 (2), ‘Restrictions’ relates to misleading market names: A registrant must not allow a facility or practice to directly or indirectly lead the public to conclude that the practice or facility practice offers a veterinary service unless it does so. For example: it is important for a facility or practice that includes ‘Hospital’, ‘Clinic’ or ‘Service’ in its’ name to provide the client with a thorough description of care to be provided and when staff will be present prior to initiating treatment in the facility or practice when an animal is kept overnight.

If the Registrar denies a facility or practice name, or name change, the bylaws, s. 3.24(1), ‘General requirements’, allows the applying registrant to appeal the Registrar’s decision to Council without charge.

Until a facility or practice name, or name change, is approved a Registrant must not display an unapproved facility or practice name by any means of advertising/promotion or by any other means of representation such as may include a business cheque or through electronic media such as an email address, Facebook page, etc.

Incorporation

The CVBC will permit a registrant in “good standing” to incorporate a facility or practice name, or to incorporate a name that includes the word “veterinary”, or other words or phrases in its name that connotes the provision of animal health care or veterinary services and which is not a facility or practice.

The fee to incorporate is $ 200.00 (+GST).

One or more registrants ‘in good standing’ must hold a majority of the voting shares in the corporation.

Incorporation does not protect the registrant or the practice/parent company against any liabilities or responsibilities laid out by Veterinarians Act, Bylaws or Regulations.

Previously Approved Names in Use

The continuing use of a previously approved facility or practice name is addressed in the bylaws, s. 3.27, ‘Previously approved names’: A registrant whose facility or practice name was approved under former bylaws may continue with the use of that name and may transfer the facility or practice name to a new owner, who is required to comply with the bylaw provisions relating to facility and practice names as amended from time to time.

Closing a Practice Facility

Both permanent and temporary closure of a practice facility must be reported to the CVBC. The necessary steps for closing a practice facility are discussed in the Practice Facility Closure Protocol and Rules . Additionally, the Closed Practice Record Retention Guidelines reviews the responsibilities of the Designated Registrant regarding the management of the facility’s medical records and the rights of clients to access their records promptly.

The Designated Registrant must submit the completed Medical Record Location Form to the CVBC, including the date of closure or temporary closure.